Chargers dress Ladd McConkey against Broncos, though his role is expected to be small

Updated October 11, 3:05 p.m. EDT: Adam Schefter reports McConkey is likely to see only limited action despite being active.

Ladd McConkey is active for the Los Angeles Chargers against the Denver Broncos, the club confirmed when it released its inactive list on Sunday, October 11, so the receiver is in uniform despite a foot injury that kept him out of all three practices this week.

The decision runs against the expectation set earlier in the day. Adam Schefter had reported on Sunday morning that McConkey was not expected to play, and the questionable tag he carried into the weekend looked like a formality. Instead Los Angeles gets him back for a 4:05 p.m. EDT kickoff at SoFi Stadium, at a moment when Justin Herbert has few healthy targets left.

Being active may not mean much on the field. Adam Schefter reported shortly after the list came out that McConkey will probably see little of the field, which suggests Los Angeles is keeping him in uniform as an emergency option rather than planning a full role. The Chargers have not commented on his workload.

Chargers WR Ladd McConkey is active but not expected to play meaningful snaps.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2026

Who is out for Los Angeles

Seven Chargers are inactive: receivers Quentin Johnston (chest) and Brenen Thompson (quad), safety Derwin James, cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Rodney Shelley, guard Kayode Awosika and left tackle Joe Alt. Shelley, who has a hamstring injury, was the only one of the five questionable players who did not make it; tight end Charlie Kolar, offensive lineman Branson Taylor and defensive lineman Scott Matlock are all active.

Even with McConkey back, the receiver room is thin. Johnston and Thompson were ruled out on Friday, which leaves Tre Harris as the main option opposite McConkey, with tight end Oronde Gadsden also in the mix. The line is a bigger worry. Alt is out with a neck injury, Rashawn Slater and Trevor Penning are on injured reserve, and Awosika is down as well, which is why Los Angeles was expected to start four rookies in front of Herbert. Quarterback Trey Lance went on injured reserve on Saturday.

Broncos without both starting cornerbacks

Denver’s inactive list confirms what the club announced on Friday: cornerbacks Pat Surtain II (ankle) and Riley Moss (ribs) will not play. The Broncos also sit quarterback Sam Ehlinger, their emergency third quarterback, guard Kage Casey, tight end Dallen Bentley, defensive lineman Jordan Jackson and defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim. Chris Tomasson noted that Sai’vion Jones was made active ahead of Jordan Jackson.

👀 our inactives for #DENvsLAC.

📰 » https://t.co/orSiFyOlrS pic.twitter.com/SZprVeK6fW

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 11, 2026

That leaves a patched-up Denver secondary to deal with McConkey, while Sean Payton calls the offensive plays again after taking the duty back from Davis Webb this week.

What comes next

The Broncos and Chargers kick off at 4:05 p.m. EDT at SoFi Stadium; follow it on the Game Center. Los Angeles, still looking for its first win, visits the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, October 18, at 4:25 p.m. EDT, and Denver hosts the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, October 15, at 8:15 p.m. EDT.